People of Indian origin (PIOs) in Guyana are all set to celebrate the 168th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in this Caribbean country with a series of events.
May 5 is observed as Indian Arrival Day in Guyana.
It was on this day in 1838 that the first group of indentured labour from India arrived in Guyana to work in sugar plantations. Their descendants today comprise 50 percent of Guyana's population of over 750,000.
A series of fairs, called Indian Melas, are being organised by the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC), a non-profit, non-governmental organisation formed in early 2003.
The first of these Melas will be held at the Anna Regina Community Centre on the Essequibo coast on April 30.
The second Mela will be on May 5, the day when the main Indian Arrival Day will be celebrated, at the Albion Community Centre in Corentyne.
A third Mela will be held at the National Park, in Georgetown on May 7.
Evan Radhay Persaud, an IAC executive member, said that a 12-member Gujarati folk dance group from the Rangashree School of Fine Arts in Gujarat will be performing at all the Melas.
{{/usCountry}}Evan Radhay Persaud, an IAC executive member, said that a 12-member Gujarati folk dance group from the Rangashree School of Fine Arts in Gujarat will be performing at all the Melas.
{{/usCountry}}Apart from the Melas, cultural programmes are also being organised on all three days. IAC will honour five PIOs for their outstanding contribution to Guyana's progress.
The Indian high commission in Guyana and Guyana's ministry of culture, youth and sport will support these events.